Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) heads south to take on the Chang International Circuit in Thailand, for Rounds 5-6 of the 2024 season, following eventful meetings in Shanghai and Suzuka.

Porsche Junior Alessandro Ghiretti extended his championship lead in Japan with a perfect weekend, securing two pole positions and converting both into maximum points for the Team Jebsen outfit. The Frenchman has an excellent record in Buriram, taking five wins from six back in 2018 during his Formula 4 South East Asia title success, as well as picking up a podium at the circuit during the F3 Asian Winter series the next year.

Immediately after the Buriram event, Ghiretti will make the journey to attend the 24 Hours of Le Mans as PCCA’s VIP guest thanks to his performances this season, which see him top the overall standings. The special experience will offer the unique opportunity to witness the Le Mans finish live, from inside the Team Penske garage on Sunday afternoon.

2022 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup champion Dylan Pereira (Shanghai Yonda Team BWT) took two second place finishes in Japan to stay in touch with Ghiretti, while PCCA Talent Pool presented by Michelin member, Mathys Jaubert, (TORO Racing) kept up his 100% podium rate so far this season.

Porsche Holding’s Martin Ragginger clinched solid points with fourth in both races in Suzuka, and has happy memories in Buriram, securing a podium at the venue back in 2016. Rodrigo Dias Almeida will also be hoping to continue his consistent form for R&B Racing after scoring results in the first four rounds of his debut campaign. Ling Kang returns to the series, after featuring in Shanghai, as he fills in for Zhu Zhiyao in the #33 R&B Racing.

In the Pro-Am category, reigning champion Bao Jinlong impressed again, making it four successive class victories to start 2024. The Phantom Global Racing driver showed good form in Buriram last year, coming second in Race 1 before earning victory in the second event.

The class will have a new driver in the #21 Trans-China Automotive Racing, as Li Zhicong steps into the Porsche 922 GT3 Cup (992) for the first time, to stand in for Francis Tjia.

Finally, in the Am category, Bergwerk Motorsport’s Eric Kwong made it back-to-back perfect weekends, scoring his fourth consecutive class victory. In the second race in Japan he won by just 0.149 seconds, after a tremendous battle with Munkong Sathienthirakul who secured a pair of second place finishes for EBM Giga Racing. The latter will be returning to his beloved home track, where he’s raced on numerous occasions and will be hoping to close the gap to the championship leader.

The Chang International Circuit was first visited by PCCA back in 2015 and since then has been a regular on the calendar. The FIA Grade 1 4.54-kilometre track provides overtaking opportunities into Turns 1 and 3, with a more technical final part of the lap making up an excellent challenge. The weekend marks the first of PCCA’s two visits to Thailand in 2024, with the series returning to the country to take on Bangsaen Street Circuit on July 5-7.

The weekend will also see Porsche Thailand host an event at the venue, helping to create an atmosphere full of passion for the brand. A host of on-track action will take place, including hot laps, coaching and instructor-led driving in a variety of Porsche road cars and the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992).

On track action begins on Friday with Free Practice 1 at 10:00 local time, ahead of the second Free Practice session at 12:45. Both qualifying sessions will take place on Friday at 16:15 and 16:40. The first race of the weekend will start at 10:00 on Saturday with lights out for Round 6 later that afternoon at 14:30.

Alessandro Ghiretti, Team Jebsen: “I’m delighted with my performances so far this season, but we’re always striving to improve and giving it everything each weekend. It’s tough to switch between championships, but it’s been made easier by the trust and support from the team, and having my engineer Benjamin Floch across all three series. I’ve had some brilliant moments around this track when I was in F4 South East Asia and F3 Asia Winter Series, so I’m looking forward to heading back to Buriram and creating more memories.”

Li Chao, Team Betterlife: “The aim for the season has always been to win races in the Pro-Am class, which I’m getting closer to. I’ve had two podium finishes now in the opening rounds, and I’m still looking to improve even further on this. I’ve been watching videos and learning from teammates, and hopefully I’ll show my development on track in Thailand this weekend.”

Munkong Sathienthirakul, EBM: “I’ve learnt a lot from the opening rounds with my battles throughout the field, and I’m looking forward to getting back out there and competing again. I’m feeling good following the first four rounds of the season and it will be amazing to race in Thailand with the team for the first time. To compete in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) on my home track will be one of the best experiences of my career.”

Alexandre Imperatori, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Manager: “It’s been a very entertaining start to the season with excellent racing and close finishes throughout the grid. Buriram is always a challenging event due to the heat and humidity, as well as a tricky layout which really tests the drivers. It’s an amazing spectacle to see the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) pushed to the limit around this brilliant venue! Early markers have been put down in class championships, but plenty will be looking to narrow those gaps this weekend. It’s also going to be a great atmosphere on site, with Porsche Thailand also in attendance. We’re looking forward to getting down there and seeing the action on track!”